nine months

We're moving at a fast clip these days, with visitors and trips to MA, but in the midst of the crazy days, I want to take a minute to mark this past month for Malaikah, because there have been a lot of big changes for her!

It is hard to know where to start...

She began sitting up on her own.  It was quite alarming to come into her room and to see her sitting up in her crib after a nap.  Now it is pretty typical to come in and find her playing with the few things in her crib.  Because of sitting up, we had to lower the crib mattress a little bit.  And my heart broke into a million pieces!

She has quite mastered clapping which I, of course, think is adorable.  Also, having her clap when I walk into a room isn't bad, either.

 The big change is that she's really on the move now!  I hesitate to call it crawling because she kind of drags one of her legs behind her a little bit, and I kept waiting for it to become 'normal' but when I put her down in the corner of the kitchen, turned around and found her on the other side of the room, I decided to declare it official.  Life is more challenging now, but more fun, too.

Also, I've finally started giving her more food.  She LOVES (!!!!) food.  I don't think there's been much she hasn't liked -- blueberries, perhaps? -- and I've been impressed by the things she has liked:  red lentils, vegetable Korma (a potato stew with a lot of spices, though not spicy), beef stroganoff, chicken, etc.  Plus the usuals: watermelon and most fruit.  Seems like she'll be a good eater which is great.  My little foodie!

feeeeed me!

We go to the doctor again next month so I don't know the stats till then, but I've moved her up to size four diapers, so I know she's growing well enough.  And with all she eats, there could be no doubt!

This is kind of a funny picture, I know, but I love the the real-ness of candidness of it.  So much love, joy, laughter.

I'm feeling a little sad about nine months -- it is just going so fast.  Where has our tiny little baby gone? Suddenly she's all over the place, eating, laughing, much more engaged.  It is so hard to imagine life with out her, and these days have just been SO good, and - dare I say it? - easy with her.  She continues to be a (generally) good sleeper. She sleeps through most nights, and takes several good naps a day.  But, if we're not home for nap time, she's chill enough to go with the flow (with in reason, of course). I really do love the baby stage so much. She is sweet, easy going, happy.  Is super ticklish and has a great little laugh, so of course, I like to tickle her a lot.

I say it every month. The days are full and rich.  We are blessed beyond measure.  These little monthly recaps just make that all so much more apparent.